Unincorporated adams county has a population of approximately 520,000 citizens

The County of Adams, CO received a $243,756 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) under the Comprehensive Forensic DNA Analysis Grant Program (CFDA 16.036). The funding will enable the Adams County Sheriff's Office to expand the capabilities and efficiency of its new, accredited DNA laboratory. Key activities include acquiring additional DNA analysis instrumentation, providing expert training, increasing operating expenditures, and implementing specialized software and validations. This will allow the laboratory to process a higher volume of DNA evidence from homicides, sexual assaults, and other violent crimes, with a target turnaround time of 30-60 days. The 2-year grant period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026.

Adams county sheriff's office has a new, state-of-the-art, full-functioning DNA laboratory that was accredited in 2023. To solve a myriad of complex cases such as homicides, sexual assaults, and other violent crimes against people, the adams county sheriffs office would benefit greatly from additional funding to expand the DNA laboratory's capabilities and efficiency. Through grant funds to bring the technology and equipment on board, the laboratory can acquire additional instrumentation, expert training, operating expenditures, software, and validations. Currently, the sheriff's office employs a laboratory director, a DNA supervisor, a DNA technical leader, and two case working analysts. Additionally, the sheriff's office will begin processing cases from municipalities within adams county to aid in processing backlogged cases, some upwards of 18-24 months. This funding also covers needed training and additional instrumentation to assist with a more extensive caseload by increasing efficiency and turnaround time. This would be recognized by working cases as they come in, with a turnaround goal of 30-60 days.